MIIS Chosen to Offer Peace Corps Fellows Program for Returned Volunteers

Monterey Institute students and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers at the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary event at MIIS in October 2011.

January 3, 2012

Monterey Institute President Sunder Ramaswamy recently signed a Memoranda of Agreement with Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams establishing the Institute as a partner school for purposes of the prestigious Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship Program. The program offers Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV’s) financial support to pursue a graduate degree program at the Monterey Institute, along with a substantial internship in an underserved community in the United States.

The Coverdell Fellows Program happens to be the brainchild of Dr. Beryl Levinger, chair of the Monterey Institute Public Administration program. Professor Levinger, who served in the Peace Corps in Colombia from 1967 to 1969, realized that Peace Corps volunteers have sought-after, specialized skills that could be put to good use back home. The program was launched in 1985 in partnership with Teachers College at Columbia University, with initial placements in New York City public schools, but is now offered in connection with a broad spectrum of specialties.